Filling device with preset automatic shutoff



Sept. 29, 1959 v L. MANNoN 2,906,301

Emme DEVICE WITH PREsET AUTOMATIQ sHuToFF Filed March 12. 195s unumi United States Patent FILLING DEVICE WITH PRESET AUTOMATIC I SHUTOFF Lloyd Mannon, Palo Alto, Calif.

Application March 12, 1956, Serial No. '570,755

Claims. (Cl. 141-,209)

My invention relates to a lling nozzle with a valve that is manually opened and manually closed in combination with automatic means for closing the valve, which operates to prevent overflow when iilling a container of an unknown capacity or which operates automatically to close the valve when a predetermined amount of liquid has passed through the nozzle.

A further purposeof my invention is to provide a new and novel means of measuring uid iiowing through a nozzle or discharge tube.

A further purpose of myY invention is to provide a metering mechanism that will initiate action when a predetermined amount of uid has passed through the nozzle, thereby causing the valve to close.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide an automatic shut off when a predetermined amount of uid has passed through the nozzle.

A further purpose of my invention is to combine the advantages of an automatic shutoff for a predetermined ,amount of uid with an automatic overflow shutoi.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide a manually opened and manually closed valve in a filling device with a metering mechanism with automatic means for closing the valve when a predetermined amount of fluid has passed the valve, or the valve automatically closing when the fluid in a container' being filled reaches a predetermined level. Each operation is independent of any other operation.

My invention is particularly well adapted for the use of iilling gasoline tanks in automobiles. In the process of iilling gasoline tanks in automobiles', most motorists request a specific amount, such as ve gallons, ten gallons, two dollars worth, or some other specific amount. In filling an order for a speciiic amount, the gas station attendant is forced to waste valuable time holding the nozzle and measuring the requested amount, while his time could be spent more profitably if he were able to proceed with the other servicing of the car. With my invention the attendant can set the device for the desired amount of gas, start the flow into the tank and proceed with the other servicing of the car. The device will automatically shut oit when the desired amount has entered the tank or when the tank threatens to overflow, or if desired, the attendant may still operate the device manually. While I do not Wish to limit my invention to a gasoline nozzle, the invention is illustrated by a nozzle designed for lling gasoline tanks. Other objects and adyantages of my invention will appear in the following specifications.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a lling device embodying my invention. The parts are shown in their position after the automatic closing of the valve by metering mechanism.

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Fig. 5 is a fragmental detail view of the cam slotted head on the fulcrum shaft of the device.

The nozzle body Fig. 1 number 1 is threaded and connected to hose 2 which leads to a power operated gasoline pump. Standard types of power operated gasoline pumps build up a pressure of gasoline against the valve, before the valve is opened. The operating lever 3 Fig. l rests in the dotted line position until raised to the position shown.- Raising operating lever 3, pressure is applied to valve stem 5, which lifts valve 6 from the valve seat against the pressure of the spring 7. Spring 7 normally holds the valve in the closed position so that the valve can be said to be self-closing. The rasiing of the valve 6 establishes the flow of gasoline through the iiuid passageways 17. Operating lever 3 when fully raised rests on the lip of the latch 8. The latch 8 is held against the operating lever 3 by spring 9. Latch 8 is adjustable vertically and the adjustment of the lock nut 10 controls the extent of the opening of the valve 6, thus the iiow of uid can be predetermined. Operating lever 3 is connected by a pivot at 11 to movable shaft 12. Movable shaft 12 is connected to a cam slotted head 13 which is held in the normal position, shown by the dotted lines, by spring 14. A spring-pressed movable fulcrum support 12 is thus provided for lever 3. The head 13 contains an L-shaped cam slot 13', as shown in Figs. l and 5. Actuating member or trigger arm 16 rests against actuating member 19 which has a slot carrying two rollers 18. The two rollers extend into the L-shaped cam slot in head 13. Actuating or release member 19 for the spring-pressed shaft 12 is connected to ashaft passing through diaphragm 15 and secured to the diaphragm 15 -by the nut 20'. Diaphragm 15 or pressure-sensitive device, operates against the pressure of spring 21 in the vacuum chamber 22. Leading out of Vacuum chamber 22 is air passageway 23 leading to a circular recess 24 in the wall of fluid passageway 17 on the down side of the valve 6. Trigger arm 16 is pivoted at 25, and connected to spring 26 which is firmly anchored at 27. Mounted on the main nozzle body 1 Fig. 1 is a metal housing 34 containing a constant speed mechanism detachable as a unit. The constant speed mechanism commonly called a timer, comprising of a shaft or stem 33 on which are mounted two cams. Cam 31 contains a V-shaped slot 29 and cam 32 has a U-shaped slot 30 within which rests pin 23. Pin 28 protrudes at a right angle from the side of trigger arm 16. A latch lever 39 is connected by rod 4S to valve stem 5. Within the iiuid passageway 17 of the l'main nozzle body 1 yFig. 1 is a small tube 44, one end of which leads to an orifice 43 in the wall of the discharge tube 47. The other end of tube 44 being in communication with the vacuum chamber 22. Housing frame 34 is connected to the main nozzle body by screws 46 and 48.

The constant speed mechanism 35, Fig. 2, comprises the stem 33 around which is coiled with one end attached thereto, spring 36, and gear train 37 with the escapement or governor 38. The latch lever 39 is seated between the teeth of the gear to stop the movement of the mechanism. Gear train 37 is driven by the main gear 49 which is powered by the spring 36.

As shown in Fig. 3, the stem 33 passes entirely through the constant speed mechanism with the two cams 31 and 32 on one end and the indicator 40 on the other end.

Fig. 4 shows the dial 41 and the indicator 40.

At the start of operation of this improved device all the parts are in the normal position as shown in Fig. 1 except for the parts which are also shown in dotted lines, the dotted position being the normal start of operation position for such parts. As kan example, it is desired to put eight gallons of gasoline in a tank. The attendant turns the indicator 40 clockwise to the gure 8 on the dial 41. As indicator 40 is turned, spring 36 is wound and the two cams 31 and 32 rotate with the stem 33. At the beginning of the turn, pin 28 is raised by the V- shaped slot 29 to the rim of the cams. This raises trigger arm 16 against the pull of spring V26. With the indicator pointing to eight on' the dial, the nozzle is now set to deliver the predetermined amount of eight gallons of gasoline to the tank. With the exhaust terminal 42 of the nozzle in the tank, the attendant raises operating lever 3 until the end passes over and seats on the lip of latch 8. This movement puts pressure against valve stem 5 which raises valve 6 against spring 7 and establishes the tlow of gasoline from hose 2 around the valve, through passageway 17, discharge tube 47 and out exhaust terminal 42. The same pressure against valve stem 5 raises rod 45 which lifts latch 39 clear of the gear teeth and the constant speed mechanism starts operation at the same time the ilow of gasoline is established. The flow of gasoline past the circular recess 24 and through the fluid passageway 17 creates a suction which draws air from the vacuum chamber 22, through the passageway 23. The loss of air in vacuum chamber 22 would result in a negative pressure within the chamber, except for the tube 44 leading from the vacuum chamber 22 to the atmosphere, through the orifice 43 in the wall 47 of the exhaust nozzle. Tube 44 permits the replacement of all of the air withdrawn from vacuum chamber 22. With the flow of gasoline, the indicator 40 is returning counterclockwise and cams 31 and 32 are also returning to normal, due to the operation of the constant speed mechanism. The gasoline pump is delivering l gallons of gasoline per minute or one gallon every six seconds. We will use minutes and seconds to describe the metering of the gasoline by the constant speed mechanism. The entire dial 41 is marked oif in 20 seconds with each section marked olf in six smaller sections. The entire dial or one complete revolution of the indicator 40 requires two minutes or 120 seconds. Therefore each section with the six smaller sections is equal to six seconds and the small sections are equal to one second each, so with the indicator 40 set at the figure 8 on the dial 41 we see that the figure eight is 48 seconds from its starting point. With the gasoline pump pumping at the rate of ten gallons per minute it will require 48 seconds for eight gallons of gasoline to ow into the automobile tank. With eight gallons of gasoline in the automobile tank at the end of 48 seconds, indicator 40 has returned to normal and the two cams on the other end of the stem 33, likewise, have returned and as the two cams approach normal, cam 31 with the V slot lagged slightly behind cam 32 with the U slot due to a small amount of freedom of motion between cam 31 and stem 33. With no freedom of motion cam 32 returns to normal rst and as the pin 28 is reached by the U slot in cam 32, spring 26 snaps the trigger arm 16 freely into the U slot 30. This movement of trigger 16 moves actuator 19, carrying the two rollers 18 into the vertical portion of the L-shaped cam yslot n head 13. Due to the pressure exerted by spring 7 through valve stem 5 against operating lever 3 the movement of the rollers 18 into the cam slot in head 13 permits the dropping of pivot point 11, the relief of valve stem and the closing of valve 6 by the displacement of the operating lever 3, and the flow of gasoline is stopped. The actuating member 19 with-the diaphragm 15 or the trigger arm 16, provides an automatic release means for the movable shaft 12 when either the orifice 43 is closed by uid or the constant speed mechanism has measured a predetermined quantity of fluid and the trigger arm 16 has moved the member 19.

A slight turn of indicator 40 raises trigger ann 16 by the rasing of pin 28 to the rim ofthe cam 31 and 32. Now spring 21 and spring 14 return the assembly to normal, after the release of operating lever' 3 from latch 8 and the entire nozzle is in condition to operate again.

During the flow of gasoline through the nozzle manual operation can be accomplished by the movement of operating lever 3.

During the ow of gasoline through the nozzle and in the event the tank should be unable to hold the full eight gallons of gasoline, the rising gasoline will cover the exhaust terminal 42 and the orifice 43 and block oil the ilow of air through tube 44 into vacuum chamber 22. Due to the loss of the air supply, the suction action of the gasoline flowing past the circular recess 24 and through the lluid passageway 17 creates a negative pressure within the vacuum chamber 22 causing the atmosphere to push the diaphragm 1S against spring 21, thus moving actuator 19, carrying the two rollers 18 into the vertical portion of the L-shaped cam slot in head 13. Responding to the pressure of spring 7 through valve stem 5, head 13 drops the pivot point 11 and the displacement of operating lever 3 permits valve 6 to close and shut olf the flow of gasoline. When the flow of gasoline has stopped, atmosphere pressure returns to the vacuum chamber 22 and the release of the end of operating lever 3 from the latch 8 permits the spring 21 and spring 14 to return the assembly to normal.

The values of one gallon per six seconds were used to illustrate the operation of my invention; however, my invention is not limited to these figures. My invention will operate equally well should it be at six gallons per second or six gallons per sixty minutes, the only change required would be different calibration of the dial and a slower running constant speed mechanism. As the speed of the constant speed mechanism can be one revolution of the indicator 40 in two minutes as shown, or one revolution in sixty minutes. Likewise the rate of flow from the pump can be changed. Adjustable latch 8 demonstrates one method of flow control. By adjusting nut 10 the distance of opening of the valve 6 is predetermined and this controls the amount of the flow. Other control of the llow can be accomplished by adjustments of the pumps. Dial 41 may also be calibrated in dollars and cents, or any other unit of measurement.

My invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specilic mechanism shown and described, but departure may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims Without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

I claim:

1. In a lling device, a valve body having a uid passage; a self-closing valve in the passage; manual means for opening the valve; manually-adjusted meter-controlled means for rendering said manual means ineffective `so that the valve can close after a predetermined quantity of fluid has flowed through the passage; said meter-controlled means comprising a spring-pressed movable fulcrum support for said manual means; and means for normally holding the fulcrum support in a predetermined position; said last named means being mechanically connected to the meter-controlled means for freeing the fulcrum support when the meter indicates that the predetermined quantity of lluid has flowed through the passage and displacing the movable fulcrum support so that the manual means will no longer hold the valve open thus permitting the self-closing valve to close.

2. The combination With iilling device having a valve body with a uid passage therein and an outlet; a selfclosing valve in the passage; a lever for opening the valve; a spring-pressed movable fulcrum support for the lever; automatic release means for normally holding the fulcrum support in a predetermined position so that a manual moving of the lever will open the valve; said automatic release means including a chamber communicating with the passage on the down side of the valve; a diaphragm forming a part of the chamber wall; a release member for the fulcrum support actuated by the diaphragm; and an air tube leading from the chamber and having its entrance disposed near the nozzle outlet of said device; whereby a closing of the air tube entrance end by fluid will create a vacuum in the chamber to move the diaphragm and release member for freeing the fulcrum support and permitting its spring to move the fulcrum into a position for freeing the selfclosing valve and allowing it to seat; and meter-controlled automatic means for actuating the release member when a predetermined quantity of iluid has passed through the nozzle outlet and the tube entrance end has not been closed; said last-named means including a manually-adjusted spring motor actuated meter including a rotated disc with a recess therein; a spring-pressed trigger arm having a pin riding on the disc rim; said arm being moved by the spring when the disc has rotated for aligning its recess with the pin; whereby the pin will move into the recess and the arm will actuate the release member for freeing the fulcrum support and permitting the valve to close.

3. In combination: a uid discharge device having a nozzle passage through which fluid flows at a certain rate; a valve in the passage and normally biased for closing the passage; manual means for opening the valve; means for holding the manual means so that the latter will keep the valve in open position and including a chamber communicating with the passage on the down side of the valve within which a vacuum will be formed; an air tube communicating with the chamber for relieving the vacuum and having its air entrance end disposed near the outlet end of the nozzle passage so that a vacuum is created in the chamber when the air entrance end of the tube is closed; a pressure-sensitive device actuated by a change of pressure within the chamber and being operatively connected to said holding means for actuating the means when the pressure-sensitive device is actuated due to a change of pressure Within the chamber; and manually-adjusted, meter-controlled means operatively connected to said holding means for freeing the holding means after a predetermined amount of uid has passed through the nozzle permitting Said valve to close.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 and in which means interconnecting said meter-controlled means with the valve is actuated when the valve is opened, for starting the operation of said meter-controlled means.

5. In combination: a fluid discharge device having a nozzle passage through which fluid ows at a certain rate; a valve in the passage and normally biased for closing the passage; manually-controlled means for securing the valve in open position and including a lever and a spring-pressed movable fulcrum support therefor; la chamber communicating with the passage on the down side of the valve so as to create a vacuum in the chamber when the valve is opened and uid ilows through the passage; an air inlet tube leading from the chamber and having its entrance end placed exterior of the nozzle passage and near the nozzle outlet; a diaphragm forming la part of the chamber Wall; a release member moved by the diaphragm when the entrance end of the air tube is closed and a vacuum is created in the chamber; said release member when moved, freeing the springpressed movable fulcrum support and permitting it to move to a point where the lever will no longer hold the valve open thereby permitting the valve to close; and a manually adjusted time-controlled metering device in cluding a spring-actuated trigger arm adapted to move said release member for freeing the movable fulcrum and permitting the valve to close after the metering device has operated for a predetermined length of time; said metering device also including manually adjusted` timing means for causing the metering device to operate for a selected predetermined time period before freeing the trigger arm and permitting it to move the release member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,917,364 Gollagher July 11, 1933 2,011,393 Bradley Aug. 13, 1935 2,656,068 Soar Oct. 2.0, 1953 

